- Yesubai
Yesubai was the wife of the Maratha emperor
Sambhaji .Yesubai was the daughter of Pilajirao Shirke, an illustrious Maratha
sardar (chieftain), who was in the services of ChhatrapatiShivaji . Yesubai was by various accounts extremely beautiful, wise and prudent. She was fiercely loyal to the goals of her father-in-law, Shivaji, of establishing and perpetuating theMaratha Empire . It is said that she aided her husband, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the daily affairs of state, giving just and wise suggestions. She was extremely loyal to her husband Sambhaji, and was very proud of his audacity and other qualities. She did not hesitate to go against her own brother when he unjustly demanded of Sambhaji a "vatan". She was the most favourite wife of Sambhaji Maharaj, and was his lifelong faithful companion, friend and beloved. They had a son called Shahaji, but he was renamed byAurangzeb as "Shahu" to obliterate any memories of his grandfather, Shivaji.
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